Zi Jian (Shawn) Lau
DPhil, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences
Developing an ultrasound-mediated drug delivery platform against osteolytic and osteoblastic Bone Metastasis
Current cancer therapies are often limited by systemic toxicity and severe side effects, which restrict their efficacy and impact on patient survival. My research aims to develop an ultrasound-activated drug delivery platform that enables precise, on-demand release of therapeutic agents. This approach seeks to minimise off-target toxicity while maximising drug concentration at the tumour site. I focus on bone metastases, sites notoriously difficult for conventional drugs to penetrate, where current treatments are largely palliative. By integrating ultrasound with targeted drug delivery, this work aims to improve therapeutic precision and outcomes for patients with metastatic bone disease.
How could your research ultimately benefit patients?
Our research has the potential to transform the way anticancer drugs are delivered, offering a means to release treatments locally and selectively within tumours. This strategy could reduce systemic side effects, enhance drug efficacy, and improve quality of life for patients. In the long term, this platform technology could be adapted for a broad range of cancers and therapies, paving the way for safer and more effective treatment modalities.
About Shawn
I am a a BM-DPhil student intercalating my Graduate Entry Medicine studies at the University of Oxford. Previously, I have completed my bachelor's degree in Cancer Biomedicine at University College London. After completing my undergraduate degree, I deeply enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of cancer research. This inspired a deep passion to design clinically meaningful solutions for complex oncological challenges. My goal is to translate science into treatments that not only improve patients’ quality of life but also empower them to make informed decisions about their care.